ENERGY MATTERS

[Stanley]

If the rate charged was the normal domestic one how much difference would it make?
I Saw an advert for a Kia electric car and noted that the fast charge version charger ran at 800V and 200A. That sounds as though it could send your bill up at a considerable speed!

[Big Kev]

If the rate charged was the normal domestic one how much difference would it make?

A saving of 18p kWh, the current 'normal' rate is around 25p.

[Stanley]

[Big Kev]

The pump has failed in my condenser tumble dryer, I've stripped it down and a lot of the plastic casing has gone brittle, it's 12 years old so have decided it's a lost cause and have ordered a new heat pump dryer. It has an A++ energy rating so will be cheaper to run than the old one.

[Stanley]

I wonder what the energy rating is for my preferred method of drying the washing?

[Big Kev]

We have a maiden too, a very useful bit of kit

[Big Kev]

Stanley mentioned smart meter connectivity in another topic, this is a relevant read https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq52382zd1no

In the Midlands, Wales and southern England, all meters use wireless cellular technology - similar to mobile phones - to send data to energy providers. If a signal is not strong enough, it can be boosted by an aerial.

But in northern England and Scotland, meters instead rely on radio frequencies and no such fix is available.

[Stanley]

Yes, the Panorama programme tonight is dedicated to the subject.

[Stanley]

I de3cided yesterday that my self-imposed restricting of the boiler operating temperature to 35C has reached its limit and I have increased it to 40C which resulted in an improvement in my comfort. More expensive of course but needed.

[Big Kev]

I de3cided yesterday that my self-imposed restricting of the boiler operating temperature to 35C has reached its limit and I have increased it to 40C which resulted in an improvement in my comfort. More expensive of course but needed.

Not necessarily so, the higher boiler temperature will reach the temperature set on the room thermostat quicker, this will result in less actual 'running' time and less gas used.

[Stanley]

That's a possibility Kev but it's an imponderable. My front room temperature is more comfortable.... I think I can live with any extra expense if it happens.

[Tizer]

`Trump names fracking executive Chris Wright energy secretary' LINK
Donald Trump has named oil and gas industry executive Chris Wright as his pick to lead the US Energy Department. He is expected to fulfil the president-elect’s promise to increase fossil fuel production - an aim summed by the campaign slogan “drill, baby, drill”. Wright is the founder and CEO of Liberty Energy, which serves companies extracting oil and gas from shale fields in a process known as “fracking”. Trump wrote in a statement: “Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fuelled American Energy Independence, and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics. “As Secretary of Energy, Chris will be a key leader, driving innovation, cutting red tape, and ushering in a new Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace.” Wright is a climate change sceptic who previously said he does not care where energy comes from, “as long as it is secure, reliable, affordable and betters human lives”. In a video posted to his LinkedIn profile last year, he said: “There is no climate crisis, and we're not in the midst of an energy transition either.”

[Stanley]

That's the report I couldn't find Peter, good job I didn't as you have posted it. This man is yet another barking mad nominee to the new administration. What will be really interesting and tell us a lot about how this Trump presidency is going to go is how the various committees react during the necessary approval processes. Is Trump really going to be able to disrupt the US and the world or is the process in the States going to be able to reign him in?
A lot hangs on the answer to that question.......

[Stanley]

Combined energy bill to 22 November is £147.50. Not a disaster....

[PanBiker]

Gas Engineer been, fan is faulty which is where the noise is coming from. It shows signs of backed up contamination which could be from the flue. Catch 22, he can't test the flue for contaminents until the boiler is running. New fan is still available but is just over £250.00 plus fitting Could go with that and then find that the problem is actually the flue so that would ramp the price up even more if that has to be replaced. Boiler is 18 years old so I have asked for a quote for a new one. That will include a new replacement flue which runs the full length of the kitchen as we don't have an outside wall for the boiler, it's in the pantry. Bit of a hassle but needs must etc. New latest gen boiler with a new warranty best call I reckon. Waiting for a quote and a slot in the diary.

[Stanley]

Way to go Ian! That will cure everything and you can relax.

[PanBiker]

In the meantime I have borrowed an electric radiator heater from the centre to supplement the heater we already have which I can deploy to a different part of the house. No Problem for the centre as it's only ever used if the boiler goes down. It's fully functional so no problem there. Just picked up a double electric blanket from Garlicks. Sally said she was cold in bed last night so a reinvestment there. We have done without one for the best part of 20 years I reckon but it's no good being cold in bed. It has dual controls and is washable.

[Big Kev]

In the meantime I have borrowed an electric radiator heater from the centre to supplement the heater we already have which I can deploy to a different part of the house. No Problem for the centre as it's only ever used if the boiler goes down. It's fully functional so no problem there. Just picked up a double electric blanket from Garlicks. Sally said she was cold in bed last night so a reinvestment there. We have done without one for the best part of 20 years I reckon but it's no good being cold in bed. It has dual controls and is washable.

I have an electric stove (looks like a log burner) with an integral fan heater you can borrow if you need another heat source.

[Stanley]

Be careful with the electric blanket Ian. Susan and Mick had a top of the range one they swore by until it set fire to the bed! Luckily all they lost was the bed and the bedding.
As in so many other matters I am a curio when it comes to keeping warm in bed. I rely on plenty of duvets and my own body heat. I always have the bedroom window open a crack and love to lie in a warm bed with cold air washing across my face. (I know, bit silly isn't it, but I breath fresh air all night. I remember the nights in barracks in the army with no ventilation and 30 blokes snoring and farting...... )

[PanBiker]

I have an electric stove (looks like a log burner) with an integral fan heater you can borrow if you need another heat source.

Thanks Kev but we have two heat sources now as I have an electric oil filled radiator from our centre. Perfectly passable in the front room. It's come tad milder already with the storm rain. Tom our gas engineer will be with us on Tuesday after a diary reorganise.

New boiler will have new flue so I will open up the boxing in before Tom comes on Tuesday. The boxing has two decent sized vents which can be removed for normal service inspection. The flue is secured on multiple hangers though so taking the boxing out will be an advantage. Eight or ten screws from memory. We have filler and paint for when we put it back.

[Big Kev]

I have an electric stove (looks like a log burner) with an integral fan heater you can borrow if you need another heat source.

Thanks Kev but we have two heat sources now as I have an electric oil filled radiator from our centre. Perfectly passable in the front room. It's come tad milder already with the storm rain. Tom our gas engineer will be with us on Tuesday after a diary reorganise.

New boiler will have new flue so I will open up the boxing in before Tome comes on Tuesday. The boxing has two decent sized vents which can be removed for normal service inspection. The flue is secured on multiple hangers though so taking the boxing out will be an advantage. Eight or ten screws from memory. We have filler and paint for when we put it back.

Good stuff and yes, it has warmed up considerably

[Stanley]

Cooler on Monday......

[PanBiker]

Went to our Jacks this morning to take advantage of his shower which was very welcome.

Spent this afternoon taking out the boxing for the boiler flue. I did too good a job when I put it up as the filler over the screw holes took a bit of digging out. I think when I put it back I might level them off with sealant rather than filler. All out now so Tom has a straight run for the flue it's on three hangars so the frontage had to come out. Tops of units and doors have been cleaned when I got proper access. Just have the boot rack to take out at the top of the pantry now which will give Tom a lot more manoeuvring room for any pipework that he may have to alter. Ready for my tea now and a sit down.

[Stanley]

I hope all goes well today Ian.....

[PanBiker]

Tom is doing really well with the install. System drained, old boiler out, new boiler in and all pipe reworking done. Water back on and system re-pressurised and radiators refilled. New flue 75% installed. He tells me that a longer flue like ours gives better efficiency as the extra length offers more area for condensing, never knew that. Another eye opener is the pipe reworking used crimp connectors throughout. Not the screw down type but fixed with a portable battery powered hydraulic press for each connector, it has presets for different pipe diameters etc. He tells me that some installations that he has done in some new buildings insist on connectors made without using fire as in standard soldered types.